How to write a figure legend [Manuscripts and scientific papers] - Academia Insider (2024)

Writing a compelling scientific manuscript requires clarity in both the main text and accompanying figures. An often underappreciated but crucial element of a successful paper is the figure legend, or caption, which provides an explanatory narrative for each visual display of data, such as a chart, graph, or schematic.

Figure and table legends are not simply descriptive but should be a blend of description and key results, helping the reader understand what the figure or table is showing without having to refer back to the main text.

Here’s everything you need to know about creating an awesome figure legend.

What is a figure legend?

A figure legend is a descriptive and explanatory piece of text that accompanies a figure in a manuscript, such as a graph, schematic, or chart.

Serving as a caption, it is integral to the understanding of the figure without needing to read the main text.

The format of a legend often includes a title in a declarative form summarizing the result or content of the figure, followed by details about the figure elements. For instance, it explains what various colors, symbols, or abbreviations used in the figure represent.

It should mention specific components, like error bars, which show the variability of data, p-value indicating statistical significance, and scale bars specifying actual dimensions in images.

It may also highlight the sample size used in an experiment.

Legends typically present information in the past tense, as they describe completed work.

While figures visually present findings in the results section, figure legends offer the narrative linking the figure to the method section and provide the necessary context.

A well-written figure legend is crucial for effective communication in scientific publications.

What to include in your figure legend – features of a good figure legend

A good figure legend is both comprehensive and concise, giving the reader all necessary information to understand the figure without needing to refer back to the main text. The legend can either explain the experiment conducted or describe the result obtained, but whichever approach is chosen, consistency throughout the document is key.

All components of the figure, such as different parts labeled A, B, C etc., must be clearly described.

This should include explanations of all symbols, colors, or arrows used, along with specific values such as p-values for statistical significance, the scale bar size, etc.Any statistical comparisons, such as an asterisk showing a significant difference between two bars, should also be noted.

If multiple images or graphs are present, they should be aligned properly and labeled correspondingly, e.g. figure 1A, 1B, etc.

This helps to direct the reader to the appropriate image when discussing it in the text.

Keep the formatting consistent with the font type and size, labels, and color scheme across all figures in your document.

Attention to these details not only enhances readability but also gives a professional and polished appearance to your work.

Examples of Well-Written Figure Legends

My top tips for how to write a figure legend

• Be Descriptive: Clearly explain what the figure is about and what it represents.
• Include a Title: Give your figure a concise, informative title that summarizes its key point or result.
• Refer to the Figure Directly: Use ‘Figure 1 shows…’ instead of ‘the following figure shows…’.
• Keep it Concise: While being descriptive, keep the caption brief and to the point.
• Use Past Tense: You are describing work that has been completed.
• Define All Symbols and Abbreviations: Do not assume the reader knows what certain symbols or abbreviations mean.
• Specify Sample Size: If applicable, provide the number of observations.
• Explain Error Bars: If error bars are included in the figure, explain what they represent.
• Indicate Scale Bars: For images, include scale bars and explain their size.
• Mention p-values: If statistical testing was used, provide the value to show if the result was significant.
• Use Consistent Formatting: Follow a consistent format for all the figure legends in your document.
• Avoid Repetition: Do not repeat information that’s already in the main text or in the methods section.
• Label Parts of the Figure: If your figure has multiple parts, label them as ‘A’, ‘B’, etc., and explain each part in the legend.
• Consider Figure Legends as Standalone Texts: A reader should understand the figure without referring to the main text.
• Use Proper Grammar and Spelling: As with the rest of your manuscript, legends should be well-written.
• Explain Color Coding: If you use colors in your figure, explain what each color indicates.
• Clarify the Main Findings: Summarize what the figure is demonstrating in relation to your study.
• Point Out Important Features: Direct the reader to important elements or findings in the figure.
• Stay within the Journal’s Word Limit: Many journals limit the length of figure legends, so ensure you comply.
• Ask for Feedback: Have a colleague or mentor read your figure legend to make sure it’s clear and understandable.

Wrapping up – Good figure legends

A well-crafted figure legend, like the lyrics to a melody, provides context, meaning, and understanding to the visual data represented in a scientific manuscript.

Not merely descriptive, the figure legend or caption serves as an insightful guide that ensures the reader can comprehend the figure without having to refer back to the main text. Indeed, the success of your research paper largely hinges on the effectiveness of your figure and table legends.

Crafting an effective figure legend is as much an art as it is a science.

It is a finely tuned balance between providing enough detail without overwhelming the reader.

This balance ensures that the figure is showing exactly what you intend and that the reader can understand what the figure depicts.

The information to include ranges from the type of analysis conducted to the numbers of replicates used in the study.

Each component of the figure, from ‘Figure 1A’ to ‘Supplementary Figure 1’, requires its own concise, yet comprehensive, explanation.

Whether it’s Table 1A, Table 1B, Figure S1, or Supplementary Table 1, each needs its own descriptive figure legend.

Furthermore, as part of your research writing, it’s key to observe your target journal’s guidelines for caption writing, including any word limit restrictions for your figure legends.

Your ability to write figure and table legends in a concise, understandable, and effective way not only enhances the quality of your published papers but also reinforces your credibility as a researcher.

So, as you embark on the journey of writing an effective figure legend for your next scientific paper, bear in mind these tips for writing. By doing so, you’ll ensure your figure legends are not merely descriptive but also insightful and illuminating.

They should enrich your manuscript and illuminate the path for your reader to better understand your research findings.